LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly has approved exorbitant salary increases for its members and officials, raising concerns amid economic challenges in the province.
Under the newly passed bill, the monthly salaries of Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs) will see a sharp rise from Rs76,000 to Rs400,000 — a staggering 426% increase.
The bill, which will now b cited as ‘Punjab Revision of Salaries of Public Representative Act 2024,’ was tabled by Punjab Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman.
The bill also includes substantial hikes for provincial ministers and senior officials. Punjab ministers will now receive Rs960,000, instead of Rs100,000 in term of monthly salary (860% increase).
Similarly, salary of speaker has been increased from Rs125,000 to Rs950,000 (660% increase), while deputy speaker’s salary hiked from Rs120,000 to Rs775,000 (546% increase).
Additionally, salaries of parliamentary secretaries were increased from Rs83,000 to Rs451,000 (443% increase), while special assistants and advisors will now get Rs665,000 instead of Rs100,000 in term of monthly salary (565% increase).
The bill, coming into effect on January 1, will formalize these increases, marking a considerable rise in the salaries of MPAs, ministers, advisors, and officials.
In the ‘statement of objects and reasons’, the bill noted that “increase in their salaries was made in 2019 and the emoluments drawn by them are very low and inadequate in the prevailing circumstances.”
It also noted that “the perks, including salaries and allowances, of Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Members of Provincial Assembly, Parliamentary Secretaries, Advisors, Special Assistants and Ministers are governed by their respective laws and every time a revision in their perks was needed, relevant laws were required to be amended by the Assembly.”
The bill got wide support from the members after it was presented to the assembly whereas the lawmakers were visibly happy and congratulating their fellows when it was finally passed.
The only opposition the bill received was from Opposition Leader Ahmed Khan Bhachar, who raised objection only to ascertain whether the bill was aligned with the Parliamentary Rules Act of 1972.
Speaker Malik Ahmed Khan responded to his objections, asserting that the bill was in complete symmetry with the existing laws and relevant rules.
